Media Release
The City of Pasadena, as the lead agency in collaboration with the City of South Pasadena, has announced the commencement of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project.
This significant initiative aims to enhance regional water quality, augment local water supplies through stormwater capture and groundwater recharge, and restore valuable habitat in the Lower Arroyo Seco. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Draft EIR has been issued, inviting public and agency comments, and a public scoping meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2025, to discuss the project’s scope and potential environmental effects.
Project Overview: Tackling Water Challenges and Enhancing the Arroyo Seco
The Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project proposes the development of two regional stormwater capture and treatment facilities located on approximately 3.7 acres of existing open space-zoned land adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Channel. These facilities will consist of man-made treatment wetlands and infiltration basins. The project encompasses two primary locations: the 1.5-acre San Rafael site in the City of Pasadena and the 2.2-acre San Pascual site, which spans the cities of South Pasadena and Los Angeles. A small portion of the San Pascual site, about 0.53 acres, lies within the City of Los Angeles. These sites are strategically positioned roughly 850 feet apart.
Additionally, the project includes the installation of an off-site water harvester and related infrastructure within the existing maintenance yard at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course in South Pasadena. The core function of the project is to capture and treat stormwater runoff from a 5,005-acre drainage area within the Upper Los Angeles River Watershed. This is crucial as the Arroyo Seco Channel is a major tributary to the Los Angeles River, which ultimately flows to the Pacific Ocean.
The project directly addresses regulatory requirements, specifically the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for indicator bacteria in the Los Angeles River watershed, adopted by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) on July 9, 2010. The San Rafael Creek outfall, which has routine problematic discharges driving bacteria load, has been identified as a priority. Under the proposed project, runoff from San Rafael Creek would be diverted into the San Rafael site for pre-treatment and partial infiltration. The remaining treated water would then be discharged into the Channel and diverted downstream into the San Pascual site for further infiltration and treatment before its final release back into the Channel.
Anticipated Benefits: More Than Just Water
The Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project is projected to yield significant environmental and community benefits. Operationally, the two stormwater management sites are expected to provide an annual average water supply benefit of 320 acre-feet (af). This includes approximately 258 af of groundwater recharge and about 30 af (or less than 10 percent of captured water) reused for irrigation at the Arroyo Seco Golf Course, thereby reducing demand for potable water.
Beyond these crucial water resource benefits, the project aims to:
- Improve water quality in the Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles River channels.
- Increase and reestablish native plant communities and habitat.
- Enhance regional trail connectivity through the Lower Arroyo Seco by expanding the existing trail network.
- Increase public access to open space areas.
- Provide educational opportunities through informational signs and interpretive materials focused on hydrology and native habitat.
- Incorporate aesthetic hardscape elements such as reclaimed wood log benches, post-and-rail fencing, and natural stone-faced concrete seat walls.
Environmental Impact Review Scope
The City of Pasadena has conducted a preliminary review and anticipates that the EIR will need to analyze potential significant impacts in several areas. These include: Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources (including Paleontological Resources), Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Noise, Public Services (specifically parks), Recreation, Tribal Cultural Resources, and Wildfire.
Conversely, some topical areas are expected to have no impact or less than significant impacts. These are: Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils (excluding Paleontological Resources), Hazards and Hazardous Resources, Mineral Resources, Population and Housing, Public Services (such as law enforcement, fire protection, and schools), Transportation, and Utilities and Service Systems.
Public Participation: Scoping Meeting and Comment Period
To ensure comprehensive public input, a Public Scoping Meeting will be held:
- Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: South Pasadena Community Room, 1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
This meeting will provide an opportunity for the public and interested parties to learn more about the project, the environmental review process, and to submit comments on the scope and content of the Draft EIR. It is an information-gathering session, not a formal public hearing, and no decisions about the project will be made at this meeting. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or anytime during the public review period.
The Public Review Period for the NOP is from Thursday, May 15, 2025, through Friday, June 13, 2025. All written comments regarding the potential environmental effects of the project must be received by 5:00 PM on June 13, 2025.
Comments should be directed to: Christina Monde, P.E. City of Pasadena Department of Public Works 100 North Garfield Avenue, Suite N306 Pasadena, CA 91101 Email: [email protected]
Copies of the NOP are available for viewing online at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/arroyo-seco-water-reuse-project/ and at several physical locations: the City of Pasadena Permit Center, San Rafael Library, South Pasadena Public Library, and the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library.
The City of Pasadena encourages all responsible and trustee agencies, organizations, and interested individuals to participate in this crucial phase of the environmental review to help shape a project that benefits the Arroyo Seco and the surrounding communities.
